However, experts urge Canadians to be careful and do what they can to limit the spread of COVID-19.
According to Dr. Peter Juni, outgoing scientific director of the Ontario COVID-19 Scientific Advisory Board, this means using more than one rapid antigen test (RAT).
“Do not trust fast tests,” he told the CTV News Channel on Sunday.  “We do not yet know how this works [Omicron] ΒΑ.2.  If it is negative once, [that’s] not enough.”
Rats are thought to be less sensitive to the Omicron variant, especially compared to their ability to detect the Delta variant, according to a brief scientific report released by the Ontario Science Board in February.  In addition, little is known about how these tests work when exposed to BA.2, Juni said.  As a result, he recommends that Canadians take two quick tests to confirm whether or not they have been infected with COVID-19 before meeting with family and friends.
“Just a test – forget it, that’s not enough,” said Johnny.  “[Take] at least two rapid tests with a difference of at least 24 hours without symptoms “.
Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 is advised not to concentrate with others and should be isolated, he said.  Common symptoms include sore throat, runny nose, new or worsening cough and fatigue.
In addition to the quick tests, Juni said those who can transport their holidays outdoors should do so in an effort to seek better air circulation.  Indoors are advised to limit the number of attendees, avoid crowds and ensure proper ventilation.
The Omicron BA.2 variant has recently appeared in Canada and other countries around the world.  While evidence has shown that the Omicron BA.2 subtype is more contagious than its predecessor, Omicron BA.1, it does not appear to cause more serious illness.
Initially, Omicron BA.2 appeared to be spreading relatively slowly in Canada.  However, provinces such as Manitoba and Ontario have already announced that the Omicron BA.2 variant is the most dominant strain among the communities.
This comes as COVID-19 case numbers rise again in Canada, based on data collected by CTVNews.ca.  Those who have recently become infected with the virus or who have received the recommended dose of vaccine are expected to have good protection against transmitting COVID-19 to others, June said.  Those who have not been infected or have not been vaccinated should take extra precautions, he said.
“Many people have protection through vaccination and a recent one [exposure] already with BA.2, this new sub-variant “, said Juni.  “For all of us who have not been infected relatively recently, we just have to be very careful not to transmit and get sick ourselves.”
In Ontario, about 5 percent of the population is infected with COVID-19, according to data compiled from the scientific table.
“When you go out and socialize, it is relatively certain if the group is a little bigger, that there is at least one person in there who is contagious right now.”
As a result, those recommendations go beyond the holiday weekend, Juni said.  Advises the continuous use of good quality masks such as KF94, KN95 or N95.  If none of these are accessible, Juni suggests placing a medical mask under a fabric mask for a comfortable fit.
“All of this will help and we just have to do it for a few more weeks,” June said.  “When I now see that we have reached the top, if we are all a little careful, it will already help.”
With archives from the Canadian Press and CTV’s Katherine DeClerq and Brooklyn Neustaeter.
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